Tragic Accident in Dallas today

[Buda6868]

www.dallasnews.com

Instructor and student pilot in C-172 hit by bird and could not recover.

Prayers in Dallas needed,

Buda6868

 

[FR8dognit]

TKI....could have been any one of us....praying for the families

 

[bugchaser]

I knew Andy well. We worked together a few years ago before he started flying. Can remember how enthusiastic he was about changing careers and getting into flying. He basically gave up a very promising career to pursue his dream. Our prayers are with him, his wife and two small children that he left behind. Here's to you Andy, you were a hell of a guy.

 

[Whirlwind]

As many of you know, I fly out of Monarch and have two airplanes on leaseback with them. I never had the chance to fly with Andy, but I had talked to him several times and he was always very nice and friendly. Everyone liked him and he will be missed.

The media has been by here all afternoon and evening, even as late as 9:30 the NBC news truck was over at Monarch, lights still on, go figure.

What is really freaky is that I parked my 172 next to N166ME when I got back at 10am from my morning instrument flight today.

My helo CFI came over at 10am (he is working on his private add-on in the airplane) and for fun (as well as to get used to teaching) I taught him a preflight on my 172.

I showed him the differences between a 172N and a 172SP by showing him N166ME at about 10:15am. That was 90 minutes before the accident.

That is just too weird for me. I've been freaked all day, this whole thing is just horrible.

Andy was totally cool, he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids.

 

[Buda6868]

Whirlwind:

I have been to Monarch a few times, but never flew out of there.
My condolences go to you and all your friends that knew Andy and his family.

It hits way to close to home and my hearts breaks for the new flying community that I have become so close too in such a short time. This should not of happened, but it does and I try and learn as much as possible from it.

Prayers with Monarch and family,

Buda6868
Flower Mound, Texas

 

[Whirlwind]

I woke up this morning and instantly thought of this. I thought of Andy and his wife, how she had to wake up this morning and deal with the fact that this morning, and every other morning for the rest of her life, her husband and the father of her two girls is gone forever.

I'm going over to the airport today before it rains, I want to go flying today to try and give myself a sense of normalicy.

I know the CFIs over there are really broken up over this, I just hope they remember that Andy died doing what he loved. I hope his wife remembers that as well, it is perhaps the only bright spot in this tragic mess for her.

I offer a prayer for Andy, his student, his wife, and their two children:

"May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."

 

[Buda6868]

Well said Whirlwind,

I flew today for the same reason. It was not a pretty flight, because in the back of my mind, I could still not help thinking about it.